» Peter Moylan

Oh, the end to the 2009 regular season was heartbreaking. But there were many wonderful accomplishments. I’m going to write down some of those accomplishments:

• Congratulations to Jair Jurrjens who was named September NL Pitcher of the Month.
• Garret Anderson got his 2500th hit on 1 October 2009. Go Garret!
• My favorite Peter Moylan was phenomenal after the All-Star Break, having an ERA under 1.00 (considering that he had a 145.00 ERA by the time he got his first out, that’s very impressive). He surpassed Chris Reitsma on the Franchise All-Time appearances with 87! I’m very proud of Pete, considering all he went through to come back. If it weren’t for Chris Carpenter, I’d totally say Pete was going to be NL Comeback Player of the Year! And did I forget to mention that he didn’t give up a single homerun in 09? Go Pete!
• Tim Hudson was very, very awesome his first time back. He had two wins, though I’m sure he deserved more. I really hope he’s around next year. He’s a good person and a great pitcher.
• Tommy Hanson had a wonderful rookie year. I so hope that he wins Rookie of the Year.
• Matt Diaz was just awesome this year! Despite a base-running blunder to end a game against the Marlins, I have very little complaints about how well MattE D did this year.
• Kris Medlen, though I can’t say he was remarkable, was pretty good. I just love Little M, for more personal reasons, but you know me.
• Martin Prado had an outstanding year. I really like Kelly Johnson, but Martin is my choice for 2B next year!
• Yunel Escobar, besides a few attitude problems, was just fantastic this year. I really hope we can see more of Yunel has got!
• And finally, Javier Vazquez has been amazing. I hear his name is popping up in Cy Young Award discussions, so let’s see how Javy does!

Though the end of the season was disasterous, I’m still faithful to the Braves and cannot wait for next year. One last year of Bobby Cox, which I still have mixed about. The boys really had me excited about the NL Wildcard race, and although they didn’t win, this was ten times better than last year. In 2010, we’re a force to be reckoned with. No doubt it my mind.

Also, both Mike Gonazlez and Rafeal Sorianoare free agents this year. I hear there is a fifty-fifty chance on keeping Gonzo and little chance of keeping Soriano, but the other day at a season ticket holder’s event, Frank Wren mentioned (without realizing it) that they would have to replace both. I’m very curious as to how this works out. Because I also hear that my favorite Peter Moylan could possibly replace them as closer. You probably can guess my opinion, but if they don’t re-sign Gonzo, well then I’ll be upset. I love his fire, his excited air that he gives off. Though, Yunel should be able to fill that whole :p.

One last note, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Johnson are expecting their first child in December, according to Chop Talk! Though I don’t think Kelly will be around next year, that is very exciting! I have no doubt the child will be as adorable as daddy dearest.

Until next time!

Despite the loss and the fact that Mike Gonzalez got hurt (and hopefully that’s not major- even though I’m sure Gonzo could use some rest), the game today was fun. Barry Zito was really good, and so was Kenshin Kawakami.

What else can I say? Oh yeah, my boys have been on a roll! They’re currently in second place in the NL East and hopefully that’ll stay the same! I’m gonna go into individual people and their awesomeness, then assess the team as a whole! Fun, right?

Peter Moylan

Yes, that’s right, my favorite goes first! Although he’s been shaky and inconsistent, I’m very thankful he’s on the team. I still find it impeccable that he tried so hard to be ready for the season- even though he wasn’t even twelve months into his Tommy John rehab. I think he’s a little over-used, and with some more rest he could be the reliever he was in ‘07! Maybe I’m just saying that because he’s my favorite, but either way, I still believe it!

Tommy Hanson

He’s been amazing up here! He’s 5-0 and still going! I can only imagine how much better he’s going to be with more Major League experience! GO TOMMY!

Jair Jurrjens:

All I have to say about JJ is that the other team needs to look out! I mean seriously, he out-pitched Tim Lincecum! I still don’t get why he wasn’t an All-Star, but I guess I’ll never know! Jair is definitely my favorite starter, I’ve had the pleasure of meeing him and he was as sweet as can be, and beyond that, he’s got some skills! I look forward to see what he’s like in the next three or four years, because I have no doubt he’ll be lights out!

Yunel Escobar

Oh Yunel! He has a bit of an attitude problem, but aside from that, he’s been amazing! Esco is fantastic! My goodness, as of right now he’s the defending National League Player of the week and I’m sure he’ll be in considerations if he doesn’t get the title again! Go Yunie!

Rafael Soriano

He definatley has impressed me this year, I honestly didn’t expect him to throw a pitch at all! I’m very glad he’s proved me wrong, though.

Martin Prado

Oh, Martin has always been one of my favorites! I’m glad he’s doing so well, even if that puts Kelly Johnson on the bench! He’s proved he can be a producing starter and I don’t see that changing anytime soon! I wish Martin all the best!

Matt Diaz

You all know of my fondness of MattE D, so I’ll keep this short. He’s been pretty hot lately and I’m never upset to see him in the line-up or at the plate (not that I ever have been, I always love seeing Matt play)! Matt is definitely amazing, and right now he’s playing as well as his brother can sing (which is pretty good! I met Jonny Diaz the other day, he’s awesome, actually)

The 2009 Atlanta Braves

The other night on Braves Live! Fred Hickman called the Braves “consistently inconsistent”, which pretty sums it all up. This year is for sure an improvement than last year, but Fred totally nailed this season with that comment. They’d win two, then lose three, when three, and lose four. I really hope that they’re consistently winning this half of the season, because I’d love to see the Braves in the play-offs. So far, they’re doing a good job, but it’s only July. There’s two months left to go, so let’s all hope the starters can pitch deep, the bullpen can be awesome, and that offense can stay hot, because let’s face it, I love the Red Sox, but I really don’t wannna be watching only them in mid-October (plus, who really wants to see the Phillies in the post-season?)

Till next time,

GO BRAVES!

EDIT 7/24/09: I was wrong! Yunel was National League Player of the week until the 19th. I need to do my research next time

I went to the Georgia Aquarium today. It was really fun, but on the way home I heard the news on Jeff Francoeur. My first thought, “Wren is an idiot!” I still stand by that. Frenchy… gosh, I never thought they’d trade him.

I get that he was struggling, but I’m the one that’ll cheer for my favorites forever. He goes in that category. I’m excited to see what Ryan Church has to offer, but… it’s my Frenchy. I remind you, I’m a girl. So I have some emotions for Frenchy that won’t go away and I feel more attached to him than say, my best friend Chris, who was able to drop him in a second.

So, before I continue, what’s your favorite memory of Jeff Francoeur? Personal or on the field! Mine would probably when I met him in January and he was just fabulous to my little nephew!

Good luck, Frenchy. We’ll miss you!

In other news:

• Tommy Hanson is better than advertised in my opinion. Congrats to him on all his accomplishments
• I’ve pulled for Brooks Conrad since Spring Training, and its good to see it was all in good reason. Go Brooksie .
• I still love Kelly Johnson. I’m hoping he gets better and doesn’t have the same fate as Frenchy!
• Peter Moylan is still my favorite. No one can convince me otherwise. I believe I heard last night that he leads the National League in apparences, only thirteen or so months removed from Tommy John Surgery. So I blame Bobby for all his problems.
• Despite what I said above, I would still like to congratulate Bobby on the whole 2000th win situation.

and finally,

• Congratulations to Brian McCann for his fourth All-Star selection. Next year he’ll be starting. 

Thanks, guys. I’m back. I swear this time. I’ll be sure to tell you of all the fun I haven’t been able to tell as soon as possible

I got an email from a friend of mine that is a D-Backs fan last night, with the subject of “Hey! These Braves are Actually Good!” it cracked me up, seeing as he was teasing me about how they stunk last month. It turns out, the email was about our paper in Literature on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (which would be the main reason that I’ve been missing, in case you’re concerned! I have two weeks of school left! Woooo!), but still, I’m saving the email to tease him with later!

So onto the Braves, after that horrific slide that left many fans wondering if 2009 was just a cruel continuation of 2008, the Bravos are really good! They’re 18-17 and tied with Philly for second in the NL East! If you had told me that in July of last year, I would have laughed in your face. As much as I love my boys, last year was just… atrocious. I know its still early on, but second place is still second place! I wish it was first, but New York won’t stay up there for long, there no doubt in my mind!

There is one thing worrying me, though.

Mike Gonzalez. He was an awesome closer last year after coming back from Tommy John Surgery. Now, he’s blown two of his last three save opportunities. I know he’s been overworked a bit, but Gonzo has always been one of my favorites and I’m still allowed to be worried, right? I know the Braves have Soriano, who has been pretty good so far this year but I’m still holding my breath over the terms of his health. The same with Peter Moylan. Pete has had his shaky moments this year, but all in all he’s been fantastic in terms of returning from Tommy John Surgery a month before he was due back. He has six holds so far this year, and I believe he leads the team with them. I could be wrong though, correct me if I am.

That’s it for now, I’m going to the game tonight if the weather permits it and I want to get ready and stuff. Till next time (and it won’t be as much of a wait as last time!)

PS. Did you see Atlanta Braves: Straight Up 3? It was hilarious, I swear!

I’m back! EOCTs were… okay. Biology and Literature were EASY. Math was really hard though. You have me until Mid-May, when I start sudying for exams in my non-EOCTs classes (Drama, Math Support, Health. I hope to exempt Math Support and Health and start my summer two days early, though. I just have to raise my Health grade two points in case your wondering)

So, Woo! Bravos!

The series was… disappointing. We managed to get a win (and my favorite Peter Moylan was the winning pitcher of that game!!!!) but still. I really expected great things from our boys after that great series in Cincinnati (minus game three)! Javy Vazquez, if it weren’t for that one inning, was remarkable. Jair Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes too! (Wooo JoJo!)! I really hope KJ can come back soon, I know he’s in a slump but I’m sure that’ll die soon! I mean, it’s Kelly Johnson! Frenchy played most of last year and he wasn’t much better! (I still love him, though!)

On this off-day, I’m just going to tell you that I love my boys to the death and will support them no matter what! With that being said, I’m trying my hardest not to be concerned. I have faith in them and I know they’re trying.

Notes:

Kenshin Kawakami missed his start yesterday when Vazy (new nickname for Javy) started. Sore shoulder, I believe! Boo! I love Kawakami.

The Series with the Astros starts tomorrow. Go Bravos! I know you can get a win.

I’m going Saturday and hope to finally show you all the pictures I owe. I’m sorry, I really am, but EOCTs and other stuff have kept me busy.

Okay, I’m done. I’ll try to be more consistent until exams!

GO BRAVES

Is it just me, or is Yunel Escobar getting no love from pitching this series? He’s been hit twice. With that being said, he finished a triple short of hitting for the cycle yesterday and the Braves are in line to sweep the Reds today. I’m very happy for Yunel and he says it best when he says “Take That, Reds!”

Esco was not the only one to have a good day. Both David Ross and Jordan Schafer   hit doubles and Chipper Jones continued his success against Arroyo with a three run homer. Greg Norton hopefully hit his grove yesterday as he hit a double (and then looked to the bullpen where the relievers were cheering for him. According to Jon and Joe, Peter Moylan was cheering most. That’s so awesome)! Derek Lowe was outstanding yesterday, and the only blemish on his record was the two run he gave up to Alex Gonzalez in the second, beyond that he had a four hitter! Go D. Lowe!

Now, here comes the tension from the game. D. Lowe took care of Yunel yesterday, hitting Joey Votto with a pitch in the first inning as revenge for Volquez hitting Yunel Friday night.  Lowe was given a warning and was solid the rest of the day, despite Arroyo hitting Yunel again (though I’m not sure if that was on purpose or not. You never know)! Reds manager Dusty Baker and CF Joey Hairston jr. were ejected for arguing with HP umpire Mike Estabrook about Hairston being called out on strikes. There was a two or three minuet period where Baker wouldn’t leave the Dugout but eventually left. Would I be suprised if there was a fight today? Absoloutley not. The Reds need to try to keep the ball off of Yunel, because I have no doubt there would be a brawl, it’d be exciting, but we don’t need Yunel being suspended, especially with Brian McCann on the disabled list.

Let’s hope the Braves can complete the sweep! Let’s support Kenshin Kawakami!

Last night’s game was weird. It was fun to watch but really weird too. Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Joe Simpson cracked me up the whole time (as Boog taught us he could do math) but it was impossible to tear away.

I mean, I can’t remember when we accepted two staight bases loaded walks! Yunel Escobar’s little  bench and bullpen clearing “show” in the third inning was… kinda awesome in a weird way. There are times when I just love Yunel’s fire. It made the game ten times more interesting. Jeff Francoeur continues to remind us why we loved him so much before his slump last year (and why some of us continued to love him even during the slump) with his solo homer in the fifth plus Matt Diaz with his RBI. The Braves are starting to look better, so we’ll watch this work out.

Pitching Notes:

• Mike Gonzalez got the save! Now he has two! Go Gonzo!
• Rafael Soriano gave up his first run of the season.
• Peter Moylan got charged with an error but managed to not give up a run, and now has in ERA in the single digits! Go Moylan!
• Javier Vazquez is now 2 and 1. Go Javy!

Team Notes:

• Garrett Anderson is on the DL. Get well!
• The AJC’s David O’Brien expects Brian McCann to go on the DL and he’ll have a surgery to fix the left eye that has been giving him problems. Get well soon Mac!
• Chipper turned 37 years old yesterday! Poor guy didn’t have a hit though! Happy belated birthday!
• On the McCann note, Clint Sammons is expected to be called up! As much as I hate to lose Mac, I love Clint! Wooo!

So that’s it! The game starts at 1:10 EST, be sure to check out those Bravos! Wooo! Go D. Lowe! Woo!

This is going to be rather abbreviated, I have to study as the EOCTs start Tuesday,

With that being said… 

I wish I could be in Cincinnati tonight. I’m missing those boys and I’m ready for them to be back in Atlanta. Turner Field is one of my favorite places in the world and I can’t wait till Tuesday so I can be there again.

So let’s take care of the Reds quickly and let the boys come home as soon as possible. I mean, seriously, let Javy Vazquez and the line up do his job quickly and usher in Peter Moylan, Rafael Soriano, and Mike Gonzalez. Good deal, right?

As nice as that sounds, I don’t know if that’s going to happen. I have faith in the pitching and all, but the starting line-ups will need to do their thing and drive in some runs quickly and not let the only run of the whole game come from a bases loaded walk. They need to keep their defense up and do all the things they have the POTENTIAL to do, but they don’t always LIVE UP to. They do that, they have a winner and a lot of happy fans back home and all over the country!

So Now,

GO BRAVES!

Man-oh-man-oh-man! I can’t help but think that Kelly Johnson is the awesomest person in the world- ever. (Now I know you might think my Peter Moylan love is dying. Well, if you’re that concerned, it’s not. Pete’s accent gives him a major advantage over KJ)! Okay, so, Kelly. I swear I felt so happy when he walked and “drove in” that run last night, the only run of the game in the Braves-Nationals finale. I must say, if we had been swept by the Washington Nationals I would have been extremly worried. Last night’s game was has so much suspense in it, I would have thought I was watching a murder mystery.

Jair Jurrjens was great as always and his performance last night makes me wonder what he’ll be like in his late twenties or early thirties and its hard to think of him as 23, a year younger than my brother. This is two starts for him in a row where he could probably get the win if there had been some run support. Well, at least we won last night. That gives most of us some peace of mind on this long and boring off-day.  It seems like every two days we have an off day and that just stinks. So let’s look at some key points for this series with the Reds.

Brian McCann

That specialized contact lense he has will has… helped. He was one for four last night and one for two the night before, his first two hits in five games. Mac is essential to the line up and without him, lose a powerful, powerful element.

Chipper Jones

He needs to stay healthy. The Braves tend to play better with him in there. There is no doubt about it, so we need to keep Chipper as healthy as possible- that’s vital.

The Bullpen

We have three surgerically repaired relievers in Rafael Soriano, Peter Moylan, and Mike Gonzalez as the top relievers, they need to stay on top. Moylan has had a shaky beggining, but he’ coming back. His ERA went from 135.00 to 10.80 in six games, so I have no worries for him. As long as he keeps the ball in the strike zone, most of his earned runs have been walked in, so he needs to work on some control, but he looks pretty good considering he came back a month early from Tommy John Surgery. Gonzo needs to be his usual FANTASTIC self and be the closer he was last year after comming back from TJ. Sori, well, Sori’s fine. He needs to stay healthy. That’s all. The rest of the bullpen is pretty awesome. Eric O’Flaherty is really starting to impress me and (I’m hoping) other fans. Of course, Blaine Boyer is gone so these other guys will have to deal with the two guys who had the most appearances last year being gone (the other being Will Ohman, of course. I miss him and his hilarious self)!

Major Offense

We need to be able to protect our leads with good defense, yes, but adding isurance will definatley help that too. We need to be able to score runners that are in scoring positon and get guys on base. So far, Matt Diaz, Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, Chipper, and Yunel Escobar aren’t concerning me so much. MattE isn’t a regular like the rest, but he’s played more than Garrett Anderson this year (or it seems like it at least)!

With all this mind, I hope the Braves can start winnning. We have potential, but can we live up that potential…? That is the question.

(PS. I really wanna think of some nick names for the boys, espacially Moylan, Diaz, O’Flaherty, Schafer, KJ, and Kenshin- my favorites. Any suggestions?)

They finally snapped the losing streak! Not only that, they handed Zach Duke his first loss of the season (on his birthday! I kinda feel bad for him here!) and gave Javier Vazquez his much deserved first win. It was a shut out until James Parr hit a batsman with the bases loaded and made the score 11-1. I like Parr, he was amazing after his September call-up last year, but he’s worrying me this year. I know it’s only his second game of the year, but still, this was not the Parr we saw last year.

Brian McCann and Kelly Johnson didn’t play today (Mac for the eye!) but Chipper Jonez was in the line-up for the first time since the first game of the Marlins series. Mac’s and KJ’s replacements had great days, both shooting in three run homers. Jeff Francoeur, Matt Diaz, and Casey Kotchman also had RBIs, Frenchy with three, Kotchman and Diaz with one. The Bravos had a fifteen-hit, eleven run game and the Pirates had a seven hit, one run game. Both teams had one error. Peter Moylan continues to make his ERA smaller and I see him coming back to his 2007 self- minus the geeky glass of course and of course with more tattoos (which seems to be a subject in just about any interview he does, by the way). Jeff Bennett seemed to get around the jam he created for himself after the triple he could have prevented, but Javy Vazquez was by far the most amazing pitcher today! He went six shut out innings in awesome style! Go Javy! Go Braves!

Now, we’re going to visit the Nationals! Let’s sweep them again!